Gotu Kola Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Scientific Name: Centella asiatica

Common Names: Brahmi

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, Sedative, Tonic, Antirheumatic, Mild diuretic, Anti-tumor, Human growth hormone stimulant

What is Gotu Kola?

Gotu kola is a plant that grows in tropical, swampy areas, including parts of Sri Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa, Pakistan, India, and even parts of Eastern Europe.¹ The plant is used medicinally in countless ways, including treating varicose veins, healing wounds, treating skin conditions like psoriasis, helping with stomach ulcers, improving mental clarity, and much more.² Its active ingredients, triterpenoids, may help promote collagen production, which is a protein in the skin.³ It’s also said to improve circulation and promote relaxation.⁴ Gotu kola is available in supplemental capsules, in ointments, or in tea.²

Gotu Kola Uses and Health Benefits

There are many gotu kola benefits. Start with a gotu kola supplement if you are seeking a natural home remedy for one of the following conditions:

Cellulite - Cellulite is a condition characterized by the herniation of subcutaneous fat within fibrous connective tissue, resulting in skin dimpling. A gotu kola cellulite home remedy can help reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Memory Loss - Along with skin-repairing properties, gotu kola helps improve mental clarity and promote relaxation. That makes a gotu kola sleep remedy or memory-boosting natural treatment a good option for those struggling to maintain a clear mind.
Peyronie's Disease - Peyronie’s disease affects a man’s sexual function. Among gotu kola benefits, it helps improve circulation, which can help combat issues like this.
Deep Vein Thrombosis - Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually somewhere in the leg. Gotu kola has been shown to help treat poor circulation and leg swelling in conditions like this.⁵

Many other gotu kola benefits make this plant an effective at-home remedy for multiple conditions. Along with using a gotu kola sleep remedy, its relaxing powers can also make a great gotu kola anxiety treatment. Some individuals may also find use in a gotu kola hair loss remedy.⁶ Researchers have found that a gotu kola hair growth treatment used on rats did improve their hair length and density.⁶ Although more research is needed for using a gotu kola hair loss remedy on humans, it is safe to use gotu kola hair growth products as a natural treatment.⁶

Gotu Kola Side Effects and Precautions

Whether taking a gotu kola cellulite remedy or a gotu kola anxiety treatment, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. In general, gotu kola is considered safe. However, it may cause a skin allergy in rare cases.² In high doses, it may result in headache, nausea, dizziness, and upset stomach.² In addition, gotu kola may be harmful to the liver in high doses. For this reason, avoid taking the herb for more than six weeks at a time. Don’t take gotu kola if you have liver disease or take any medications that affect the liver.²

Gotu kola also contains asiaticoside, which has been linked with tumor growth in mice. Avoid the herb if you have a history of precancerous or cancerous skin lesions.² When taken in regular, recommended doses, it’s unlikely that side effects will occur.

References